Washington DC Cherry Blossoms
The cherry trees are dormant for winter. Peak bloom for 2027 is expected in late March. Follow the 2027 bloom watch.
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Rain, wind, and even thunderstorms are pretty common in DC in the spring. It’s very much a transitional period, and that brings with it unsettled weather.
So this is a question that comes up often during cherry blossom season. Here’s my general response and the explanation behind it.
Heavy rain and strong winds can indeed knock petals off. So there is a factual basis for concern. However, that’s most true several days after peak bloom as the flowers start go get increasingly fragile.
Here’s a vivid example from heavy rains a few days after peak bloom in 2015. And here’s a very similar scene from 2014. In both cases, it was about 4 days after peak bloom.
Before they reach peak bloom, it’s much less of a concern.
That’s because when the trees are approaching or even in full bloom, they’re less fragile (to rain, at least–frost can be a different matter). And even when in full bloom, there are so many flowers to start with that it takes a lot to be knocked off before you even really notice. So while it’s not impossible for a severe storm to make a big dent in them, the effect is usually much less drastic.
Of course, I have no way to magically predict the weather, and severe and unusual weather is in fact possible. If we happened to get something like a derecho sweeping through the area at that time, all bets are off.
But in general, my answer to this question when it comes up is that I wouldn’t let rain or storms in the lead-up and even during much of the bloom dissuade you from visiting. Chances are very good that there’ll still be plenty to see. And there’s always a reasonable chance that the weather forecast is wrong, that any storms in the area prove to be very localized, or the rain isn’t as heavy as expected. Yes, there might be petals on the ground. Maybe even a lot of them. But that can also be pretty in its own way.
However, if the rain, storms, or wind are coming 3 or more days after peak bloom, it’s a different matter. Then, it can have a real effect, and in the right combination of conditions, the branches can be stripped nearly bare. But again, the risk of that is mostly several days after the peak bloom.
For more examples, take a look at the What to Expect, When post.
On a related note, I don’t recommend being at the Tidal Basin during a storm if you can help it, especially if there’s lightning around. The area is quite exposed with only limited options for taking shelter.
Did You Know?
Rare Urban Visitors
While you are guaranteed to see mallards and geese, the basin also hosts elusive mammalian wildlife. Beavers occasionally return to the area, and Eastern Coyotes have been known to navigate down the Potomac river corridor to make rare appearances near the monuments.
If you do happen to get caught out, here are some tips from the National Weather Service to reduce your risk of getting struck by lightning when outdoors.
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